Saturday, December 31, 2011

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
(Those times to mourn really suck.)

I miss my friend; the one my heart and soul confided in

So many things remind me of you.
When the sun is shining bright I think of you and smile
When I see the full moon I think of you (and say hi!)
When it's unseasonably warm in the fall or winter I think of you and smile
When I see the billboard with the lobster claws I think of you and giggle (yep, it's still there!)
Occasionally I feel a hand on my shoulder for a moment and I wish it could stay there.
I think of you and I smile, I laugh, I cry, I remember
I will never forget you
I am so very glad that I had you for my bestest friend throughout those years.
You believed in me when no one else did.
I miss you...I miss you more
(\o/)
/_\

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The big day has come and gone. Another Christmas is in the books. Next Christmas I will no longer be the world's oldest college student!! I'll be all graduated!
I got my daughter an ipad and she loves it! She has been playing with it and downloading games. There is even a game for the cat to play! We went to the apple store today to get a case to protect it. She will be using it when she gets back to college. She is getting a stylus that she can use to take notes on the ipad. Now I want one!! Maybe after I graduate.
I have to go back to school and resume my role as the world's oldest college student in 12 days. Right now I'm loving not having anything to do. I really needed this break. I know it can't last forever. I have 2 books to get ordered. Because I'm a college student, I get free song downloads from Amazon every time I order textbooks!! This will be the last time I have to order textbooks. The rest of the program will not require any more new books!!
I also need to get my running log book caught up. I've never let it get this far behind. I think I last recorded a run back in September. I have all my runs on my Garmin and I have uploaded them all to Garmin connect and put notes on there. I have no idea of what my mileage is going to add up to for the year. I'm sure I won't reach 1000 miles this year. I think I've ran over 1000 miles for the last 4 years.

I'm falling asleep. Last night I stayed up half the night watching you tube videos of old REO Speedwagon concerts and songs. I can do that while I'm on break from school!!!! I ended up downloading some songs I have always loved and used to listen to on records and cassette tapes!! The REO dudes were so young in those videos and the wild hair was soooooo funny!!
Ok, before I fall asleep...
Runner Nerd
college student on break who stays up all night watching music videos!!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

It's December 22nd and I have no gifts for my parents. What do you get for parents who have everything?
My parents retired to an island in the upper peninsula of Michigan. It's what we lower Michiganders call "up north". Up there they decorate in that up north way - pine tree, moose, deer, bear theme. Over the years I've given my Mom more than enough up north themed things. My Mom also likes Mallard duck things but she has more than enough. My Dad's birthday is just a few days after Christmas and their anniversary is early in January. Fortunately for me, one of my sisters always takes care of the anniversary and then just tells the other 3 of us how much we owe her!! Maybe I will suggest that she begin doing the same for their Christmas gifts!!! For years now I've given my Dad a big bag of really nice pistacios for his birthday. For as long as I can remember, my Dad has liked pistacios. I remember that every now and then Mom would get him a small baggie of them from the bulk foods in the grocery store. I am going to the place that I get the pistacios from today to get them.
Yep, I'm a bad daughter!!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Tonight was our little holiday run and party for the Tuesday night running group. We run through a couple of nearby subdivisions to see the holiday lights on the houses and in the yards then back to the running store to eat and goof off!
Hard to believe that another year has come and gone!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

FINALLY...my last grade is posted!! ALL 4.0!!! I was pretty sure this last class was going to be 4.0 but I just wanted to see that 4.0 there staring at me!!!
I am glad that this semester is over. It's the most difficult semester of the program I'm in. It really feels good to have all of my hard work and endless days spent in the library studying pay off. 4 classes - 4 4.0s!!! True nerd style!!!!!!!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

I've been using this stuff since it came out a couple years ago. I LOVE it!! I'm a bleu cheese on salad girl! I never liked any of the dressings I've bought in the store until I found Lighthouse brand - and even their low fat bleu cheese dressing is great. This one is made with yogurt and is even lower in fat than the Lighthouse low fat dressing. It is really good! I had some left over chicken from a couple days ago so last night when I was out Christmas shopping (oh yippie) I stopped by the store with the big salad bar and got some lettuce, spinich and chopped yellow and red peppers (no icky green) in a container for my lunch today. The cashier at the checkout asked me if I forgot to get some dressing!!

35 calories, 2.5 grams of fat! (2 Tbsp serving)

So, anyway, if anyone cares, this is the salad dressing that I buy!!! I like it and it's low fat.
The only thing I find odd is that the name of the cheese is usually spelled B-L-E-U but this brand spells it B-L-U-E, like the color (which is my favorite color!). I guess it doesn't matter since I really like the dressing!!!

I think I should go for a run now. I have 2.5 hours until I have to leave. I'm going to a party tonight for the running group that I've been missing since becoming a full time college student. I'm still a part of the group and I'm glad they still invite me to things!! Most of these women eat very healthy, some are vegetarians or vegans and some aren't. When we have a party it's crazy - we eat like pigs!!! I made a dessert containing chocolate!! There will be lots of chocolate there!! I'm sure most of them ran this morning but I never did. I am planning on a long run tomorrow.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

I've been running with a group for, I think, 4 years now. We meet at the running store at 6:30 pm and go for a run. As the seasons change so does the weather and the daylight. Until recently running group was about the only time I ran in the dark other than a couple of night races each year.
Since I've been in college full time I've been spending many hours studying at the public library in chelsea. In the fall shortly before the time change I got the idea to go running around town after leaving the library since I'd have a very short window of light. At that time it was still light out when the library closed at 5 but I knew that it would be fading fast and if I made the drive home and changed it would get too dark. I got the idea to change in the car after leaving the library, thanks to the miracle of tinted windows, and run around the residential streets of town. It worked out very well and I ran 4.6 miles and had a great time! When I uploaded my run from Garmy to Garmin connect I looked at the map and saw some possibilities for other routes. It was still light when I finished but was beginning to fade. I thought that the streets I ran on would be perfectly safe to run on after dark. Most of the route was residential streets within the city, most had sidewalks. I crossed the main street twice.
Since then I've run quite a few times after dark and it's been fun. I have a couple of neon yellow shirts, a head lamp, a couple of flashing thingys - one clips on and one goes on my wrist. I bought a new shirt a couple weeks ago at the annual sale at the running store but so far it hasn't been cold enough to wear it. It is made by Illuminite, which is a brand of reflective running gear. It has a pattern on the outside half running the length of the sleeves (visible from front and back) and across the back, more than the little dots that most shirts have. The pattern is barely visible in the light but when in the dark and lights hit it, it is very reflective. I'm really excited to wear it! I'm not sure what temperature range it will work best for as the tags and the website do not offer information on that. I am guessing that it will be good for 20s and colder. I will also be able to wear layers under it as it gets colder. My winter tights have zippers at the bottoms of the legs and the zipper is outlined in reflective trim so I am all set for night running!! I will still use my flashing thingys because I can't be too safe and because they are cool and fun!!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

This semester is HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!! Took my last final exam today!
Grades were posted for the classes I finished on Monday. Nothing but FOUR POINT!!!!
I totally rocked one final - 100%!! I can hardly believe it!! I got 94 on the other final; that class was the one I had the hardest time with, so glad to have that 4.0 recorded in the grade book!! I felt pretty good today after finishing the exam so I'm sure I will also get a 4.0 in that class. I had 98 going into the final.
I am so glad this semester is over; it has been a long semester. The teachers of the program said it is the most difficult semester and it sure has been. It also marks the end of the first year in the program, one year from now I will be graduated!! The 2nd year class graduated Monday. One more year to go!

I was going to go for a run after leaving school but I discovered I had forgotten to pack my running shoes. I had all my clothes but forgot to throw the shoes in. I guess I'll go for a run tomorrow. It will be wonderful to be able to go out and run without guilt hanging over my head.

Well, I watched my favorite (and the only one I watch) TV show, Ghosthunters, and now I am going to watch a Netflix movie because I don't have any homework to do!!! I can do anything I want to!!!!!! My brain needs a break!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

The end is in sight!! Tomorrow I have 2 finals. It has been a nightmare of a weekend studying for 2 finals plus a little studying for a 3rd which is on Wednesday.
I ran the Holiday Hustle yesterday afternoon with much guilt hanging over me for abandoning my studying. Oh well, it was fun! When else may one wear Christmas lights and Santa knee socks and jingling bells in public??? I have pictures but that is going to have to wait till after Wednesday. (as if there are people waiting to see them)
The weekend after Thanksgiving is always a big sale at my running store of choice! I went over there Friday to get my race number and got a winter shirt that I drooled over all last winter!! I was so excited when I saw it on the 50% off rack!! There was even one in my size!!!!!! (usually most of the 50% off stuff is either extra super small or extra super large) All last winter I would walk over and just touch it when I was there for running group!! (I know, what a dork!) It was just toooooooo expensive; even 50% off was too expensive. Well, I now own it!! I would have loved to have worn it at the race yesterday but it wasn't cold enough to wear this shirt. This shirt is going to be for those sub zero days in January and February. I'm secretly hoping that since I now have this miracle shirt that I won't even get to wear it because we will have such a mild winter and it will never get into the single and negative digit temps!! Wouldn't that be wonderful!!! I can wish but I am sure that I will get to wear that shirt quite a few times.
Well, I must be getting to sleep so I can go and rock these 2 finals tomorrow. They are going to be tough. I'm nervous.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

This morning I "pre-burned" approximately 620 calories by running a 10K turkey trot held at the YMCA where I am a member. This afternoon I ate wayyyyyyy more calories than that at my sister's house!! My brother in law cooked a 28 lb turkey on a charcoal grill; it was really good!! I also had plenty of cake and ice cream!!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

I'm sitting here in the library, been studying for a few hours and it's just about time to leave for running group. Normally that would make me excited and anticipatory (is that really a word) but it's raining outside and I HATE running in the rain. It's also cold - 38 degrees to be exact. I'm not looking forward to this; I'm actually wishing I could study more - now that IS crazy!!
Two more weeks to go!! My last final is Dec. 7th and it can't come soon enough. My brain is exhausted! I got a much needed 100% on an exam in a class last week. I'm in the 4.0 range but just barely. Now I just have to ace that final.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

This time of year is what many runners consider to be the offseason. During the offseason it's a time to forget about real training. Running still happens, of course. There are a bunch of holiday themed races and fun runs where people have fun and dress funny! I ran a halloween 5K where I dressed in a big pumpkin shirt and spider knee socks!! My "costume" was minimal compared to many of the participants.
Last night was another fun event. It was the Wayne County Lightfest 8K. Lightfest is a drive through light display that opens this coming weekend. On Tuesday of the week of the opening they have a run through the lights. They say it's a dress rehearsal to make sure everything is in place but I think it's a ploy to get hundreds of people to pay $20 so they can pay the electric bill for all those lights!! It's crazy how many people show up for this run. It's not timed, there are no numbers, no chips, no winners; it's purely for fun. I said to one of my running group friends that this proves that runners don't need much of an excuse to run! I wore a string of christmas lights and a flashing bracelet and glow braclets around my wrists and a glow necklace on my head!! They give everyone a glow necklace to wear since it's a night run. The first year I did this run the necklace bobbed up and down and hit my nose constantly. The last 2 years I wrapped them around my lower leg but this year I saw someone else with theirs on their head so I tried it and found that it would stay there!! This year was the warmest it has ever been for this race; it was 53 degrees!! I only needed one layer! It's usually cold. Last year it was not only cold but rained the whole time and I remember being frozen and soaked. I was really happy this year!!

Before the run.
When else can you wear Christmas lights and a glow thingy on your head in public and be perectly acceptable!

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On the bus after the run with a running group friend

﻿﻿﻿ This run is a point to point. After the run busses take runners back to where we parked. The bus had crazy music playing and had lights that flashed with the music and a strobe light somewhere down near the floor.
So, that was fun! I ran the 8K in just over 47 minutes which is pretty good for me these days. I'm always amazed at how runs like these are always over so fast.
In a couple of weeks I will be running another christmas themed run and I'm going to have my christmas lights again!! I also have a pair of red and white striped knee socks to wear. I was going to wear them last night but it was too warm at 53 degrees! The week after that I have one more Christmas run; it's a women only run.

This semester is winding down which cannot happen fast enough! I had a good week last week! I rocked a very difficult exam - I got 105%!! I missed one so I actually got 98% but the teacher ended up throwing out 2 of the questions so I got an extra point for each of those since I got them right and there was 5 extra credit point problems which I got right!! True nerd style!!!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

This was the scene last night before a night run.
Neon green or yellow and reflective trim. The run was a fun run to commerate the date being 11-11-11. Runners really don't need much of an excuse to have a run! One of the members of the running group I run with hosted at his house which is near a lake that has a trail going around it. There was a full moon last night which made running even more fun. I was happy when I saw this picture because I wasn't sure if the old running pants I was wearing were still reflective on the trim along the zippers at the bottom of the legs. I can see from this picture that they are! It looks really dull compared to how it used to look. (I'm the one on the left with my back to the camera)
That was last night at 7pm.
Today at 9am I was at it again! I ran a 5K and a 10K back to back; it's the Iron Turkey! I ran a 30 minute 5K and just over an hour 10K so it was like a long run. The 2 races are an hour apart; 5K at 9 and 10K at 10. I had a half hour between them and when I started the 10K I was stiff and had a really hard time getting my body moving again. I had the best race number today!!!! I am the one in the middle with the race number!

I had the best race number!

All too soon racing was over and I had to go back to my other life - being the world's oldest college student. After going home and showering it was off to the library for a few hours of studying for an exam I have on Monday - oh, the excitement!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

November 8th and it's 65 degrees at 6:30pm! Yes, that was the situation this evening here in, of all places, southeast Michigan!
I had tights, baselayer and long sleeve shirt stuffed in my bag and then I realized that it was already 52 degrees at 9:30am, so in went a pair of shorts and short sleeve shirt just in case. I'm glad I threw in those just in case provisions!
I studied in the library all afternoon (true nerd style) then headed over to the running store for group run. I passed a business just down the street from the running store that has a sign which displays the temperature and it said 65!
This was our first run post time change. It was completely dark well before our start time of 6:30pm. Until now it was still light when we started but dark by the time we finished. Nothing a neon yellow running shirt, headlamp and reflective arm bands can't make work!
Last week I got new running shoes. Every time I get new running shoes I can't wait to get them dirty! They are soooooo white and clean, I can be seen coming a mile away! I got more dirt on them tonight. The dirt roads weren't really muddy but it had rained a little so there was slightly wet dirt to pick up!!
Well, running is done so it's time to get back to the nerd part of Runner Nerd; big test tomorrow.
Runner Nerd
enjoying unseasonable November weather

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Well, it has been an exciting weekend!! Friday I had to go to school; normally I don't have class on Friday. Last week was Respiratory Care Week and, as a member of a respiratory therapy program at a community college, I learned that it's a big deal in the world of respiratory therapy! We had a ventilator race at the college as a fundraiser for a camp for kids with asthma. I have learned that old, outdated, retired ventilators get used in ventilator races at colleges and hospitals all over. Our college has 2 old ones, very heavy old ones I might add!! We decorated them up. I used the bumble bee wings I wore in a halloween race last year and we used yellow balloons and made the bumble bee ventilator!! The other ventilator was pink! We wrapped it in pink paper and pink balloons. We also had some smaller machines - something along the line of a BiPAP machine on stands and wheels. We decorated one as big bird and the other as a christmas tree. We raced as teams of 2. The race was around a circular drive in front of the building. It wasn't a very big lap and there were 5 laps. My team mate and I won!!!! It was harder than I thought it would be. The old ventilators are big and heavy and hard to steer! It was a really nice day just a tiny bit chilly. It was fun. ﻿﻿

Ventilators ready to be raced by a bunch of crazy RT students!

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Running and pushing an old, heavy, cumbersome ventilator

After all that fun, we headed back to the classroom. We have had so much work to do lately that all of us are behind. We just worked on stuff that we needed to catch up. It is a good feeling to finally be caught up on all the little things like quizzes that are done on a computer in the class and our simulations that are also done on computers in the class and finishing up various worksheets,etc. I was there about 3 hours working.
After I left school I went for a much needed run! As usual, I changed in the back seat of my car thanks to the miracle of tinted windows! I did a loop around a park and a few miles on the paved trail for a total of 5.5 miles. All of my miles were in the 9s!! I am getting back to how I used to run!! It feels so good to push myself again!
Saturday and Sunday were just full of fun! Both days I sat on my butt in a chair in the library all afternoon doing homework and studying. Today after the library closed I went running around the small town where the library is located since I had a very short window of daylight left. It was a great run. I combined several routes from a walking tour brocure I saw at the library and also some places I remember from when I ran with a marathon training group in that town several years ago. I ran 4.5 miles and, again, all miles in the 9s! I just felt great afterward. Today was the first time I wore a headband to keep my ears warm this season. I guess I can't do anything about winter moving in. I dread it but I know there will also be fun times. The Lightfest 8K is coming up, is there anything more fun than running at night with christmas lights wrapped around your body!! I registered for an all womens 5K that I did last year - Jingle Belle womens 5k. It was a blast last year. I remember people wearing christmas themed clothing so I'm ready this year!! I bought a pair of red and white striped knee socks to wear to christmas themed races this year!! There is also an evening run planned on 11-11-11 that is just for fun; it's on a trail around a lake. Of course, there is a party afterward!!
Well, I have a few things to finish up and then have to get to bed so I can be ready to resume my role as the world's oldest college student tomorrow morning!
Happy running
Runner Nerd
digging out the cold weather gear

Monday, October 24, 2011

I just logged in here and saw that I last posted on July 4th after running the July 4th race.

What has happened since then??????? I'm not sure I even remember!

I finished my semester at the end of July on a Monday. The end of that week, Friday, Saturday, Sunday I had continuing ed classes for renewing my EMS license. Sunday after the last class ended at 6pm I took off for the Upper Peninsula to visit my parents. My sister from California and my sister who lives in Lansing were already there. They were staying in a cabin at a resort near my parents' house. I got to the Ferry dock at midnight. (My parents live on an island serviced by a car ferry) The next ferry wasn't until 1 am so I had an hour to wait. There was quite a party going on at a bar near the dock and there were people wandering in the streets so I did get to talk to some very drunk people!! It was quite entertaining.

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My car in the ferry line at midnight. (I was first in line an hour early)

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Just about to board the 1am Ferry to the island

I really had a great time with my sisters, my 2 nephews and my parents up on the island. We were able to float around Lake Huron on a pontoon. I went for a run, of course!! We did lots of grilling and eating! I got to spend time with my nephews who always have me laughing and always amaze me with their knowledge of dinosaurs, outer space, you name it!! I made a run to a store to get a few things for dinner and as I drove into the place I saw the most amazing sight! I was nearly 600 miles from Ann Arbor but...there it was....a lighted sign on the side of the building: "ZINGERMAN'S bread sold here" HUH???? Zingerman's bread on an island in the UP?? While I was there I continually checked to see if my grades were posted and when they finally were, I was one excited nerd!!! All 4.0 once again!! I was very relieved. I rocked my 2 finals!! My sisters just rolled their eyes!

600 miles away from Ann Arbor

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All too soon it was time to head back home.

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In line to board the Ferry back to the lower peninsula

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southbound on the Mackinac Bridge

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I still had 5 weeks of freedom!

I worked several shifts during the next 3 weeks. I got my training on track for the half marathon I ran last week. I got my mileage back up in the 30s per week. I had been doing speedwork with a group from the gym since early spring. I enjoyed time with my daughter who was home for the summer and enjoyed not having homework to do and just having time for myself.

Eventually I had to go back to school. I ran my half marathon, the Grand Rapids Half Marathon. It wasn't my fastest but it also wasn't my slowest. I ran a halloween themed 5k Saturday which was a lot of fun. It was a night race. I dressed like a jack-o-lantern and had spider knee socks! It was a beautiful evening and I didn't even have to wear tights! I wore my running skirt just to make it look even more silly!

All dressed up for a night Halloween 5K

Well, that's about it. I'm a tired nerd. Tomorrow there is homework to do, a test to study for, 2 online quizzes to take and then it's running group night.

Next up is the Wayne County Lightfest 8K, a fun night run through a lighted drive through light display.

Runner Nerd
back from non-blogging
still the world's oldest college student nerd and still a runner

Monday, July 4, 2011

I ran the Firecracker 5 Miler today! I think this is the fourth 4th of July that I've run this race. I almost came in under 50 minutes!! I've been running so slow lately that I was hoping that I could run this 5 mile race in under an hour. I had 50:12. A few years ago I ran it in 43 something so, yeah, I've really slowed down.
This year the race had a new course. It used to be a point to point between the fire stations of 2 small towns but this year it started and finished at the fire station that it used to end at. It was a loop on rural roads and had some hills...big hills!!!
After the race I had to get right in the car and head over to another small town to join up with the rest of the family for a 4th of July parade. This parade takes almost an hour; it gets bigger every year. Then we went out to eat and then I had to go home and study. Only a couple more weeks to go and I will have 5 weeks off!!!!!!!!
Hard to believe it's already the 4th of July; it's over halfway around to Christmas...oh yippie!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Today a clerk in a store said, "I aint never heard that before." I wanted to ask her when she had last heard it since she aint never heard it before but I highly doubt she'd get it and she would think I was the one with the problem.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Well, it is now Sunday, May 22 and the world as we know it did not end!! I had forgotten that it was supposed to until this week when it was all over everywhere you looked! When in New York City over New Years they were all over the subways passing out literature and putting up signs warning that the world ends May 21, 2011.
Sooooooo, this means that I have a half marathon to run in less than a week!!!! I did my last long run Friday since I had to work most of the day Saturday. It was only 7 miles but I was slower than slow; I think it was my slowest overall average pace yet.
I booked my hotel room on Friday! Nothing like waiting till the last minute to book a hotel room in a major tourist city on a holiday weekend!! I actually found one 5.5 miles away and it's a lot less than I expected. The address is not Traverse City even though it is so close and that makes a big difference in the price! I'm happy!!!

On the nerd side of things: I got a 98% on a test this week!!! I have another one on Wednesday this coming week. I'm getting the hang of doing things at clinicals and am enjoying taking care of patients and am looking forward to my new career someday!!!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

My oldest kid graduated from college today! (actually yesterday as it's now Sunday) My sister was the family photographer. I will post better pictures when I get them from her. I have to say that it was bittersweet sitting there. All the years my kids were growing up I always told them that they were going to college. Now, all of a sudden, there I was, sitting at college graduation!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

My oldest kid graduates from college today. WOW! Where did the years go????

He brought his cap & gown home a couple days ago so I could hang it up so the fold lines would go away. He just got dressed, put the tassel on his cap and took the gown and left to go to meet up where he has to be.
I will be heading out soon to go to the college graduation of my child --unreal!!!

Saturday, April 30, 2011

I've heard of "water under the bridge" but what about water OVER the bridge?

I had to do my long run on Friday afternoon this week. I had to move most of my daughter's junk stuff out of her dorm today.
The Huron River always swells in the spring but this was quite something! In several places along my route there was some water on the trails but in one area the trail was completely under water!! A bridge was even under water! These pictures were taken in Fuller Park along Island Drive.

I guess I am NOT going to continue over this bridge!

the river is on the other side of those trees!

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The Huron River overflowed!

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DETOUR!!!

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Too much water

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The river is supposed to stop on the other side of the trees.

It's now down to only 4 weeks until the half marathon. I'm still running so slow. Next Saturday my son graduates from college so I am not sure hwo I am going to work in my long run. I will probably have to try to run on Friday again.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

I have no idea why I did this or what even put the idea into my head; I logged into my old My Space page. I had not logged in to it since October 30, 2009. I had a blog on there and I read quite a few entries and I discovered that I was a much better writer back then. It's weird but they are written so differently. I think I had a lot more time to spend on it. I don't even hear people talk about My Space anymore; I had forgotten about it. I should probably figure out how to make sure all of those blog entried are saved somewhere else so that I don't loose all of that if unlogged into My Space accounts ever disappear. (or even if My Space itself ever disappears).
Well, that's all!!
Time for bed.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

9 am: a very difficult final exam for which I studied for all last week and weekend.
Then: work 4 hours
Then: check to see if exam grade posted just before leaving work.
Then: see excellent grade on final exam and see 4.0 for overall class grade!
Then: go to park where my favorite running route starts.
Then: change clothes in back seat of car (thanks to the miracle of tinted windows!).
Then: take off on a fun, guilt free 4.5 mile run along the Huron River on a beautiful, sunny and nearly 70 degree afternoon!! Oh, it felt sooooooo great!! The weather and no weight of the world on my shoulders!!! (or at least the weight of my future career!) I saw BABY duckies for the first time this year during my run!! It must be spring for sure!! The rowing crews were out on Argo Pond and there was even some muddy spots on the Argo Bluff trail though the woods!!!
I have 5 whole days off before the next semester begins!!! I rented a DVD on the way home after running!! I haven't done that in a very long time.
I have nothing to do!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW, what a feeling!!!! Well, I guess that isn't entirely true. My house is a mess and my car looks like I live in it so I guess I could find something to do but maybe tomorrow!! I should probably mail my son's graduation announcements too, after all, graduation is May 7th!
The class that ended today was tough. I went into this final one point below a 4.0. I HAD to ace this final to bring my percentage up to a 4.0. I barely got the 4.0. I went into my other final well into 4.0 range and would have had to really mess up to bring my grade down below a 4.0. (I prefer it that way!) Next semester I'll have 2 classes again and I start hospital clinicals 2 full days per week. I will be in classes 2 full days and clinical 2 full days. Today was also the last day that I will be working. It's bittersweet; I will miss some things about my job but it is too difficult to try to work and go to school full time. I am still an employee and will be working during August when I have the month off between summer and fall semesters. I was really glad that they wanted to keep me on as an inactive employee.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

My oldest kid turned 23 today! I can't remember his birthday ever being on Easter before; I'm pretty sure that this is the first time.
He graduates college in 2 weeks!!! I'm still trying to figure out where all those years went!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

I did my long run today wearing summer running clothes!!!! I ran 10 miles after not running at all last weekend. I had in mind to try to run right around 9:50 per mile but I couldn't quite do it. Right now the thought of running a half marathon in 5 weeks is not a pleasant thought. When I finished my 10 mile run the first thought I had was that I still had 3.1 miles to go for a half marathon. I don't know; somehow I will get through it. I'm thinking maybe 11 miles next week and 12 the next 2 weeks then the last 2 weeks until the half marathon will be a taper.

Well, those thoughts are going to have to wait since I have the final exam of my life on Tuesday and have lots of studying to do. Tomorrow is Easter and, as bad as this sounds, I don't have time for a holiday right now. With this final hanging over my head it's hard to get excited about anything. I actually wasn't sure I was going to run this weekend but when I first let the dog out this morning I realized that I didn't feel the blast of cold air when I opened the door. Then when he wrapped his leash around the light pole and I had to go out there and walk him around it I was shocked that it felt so warm. I checked the temp and it was 57 degrees!!!! Then I knew that I HAD to go running!! I put on shorts and a short sleeve shirt and took off for Hudson Mills. It was really nice to run in decent weather again. BUT...now I have to make up for that 2.5 hours I was gone and get to work on studying for this exam. Yippie.

I saw something today that I have never seen before. A dude was riding a bike around with a large BIRD sitting on the handlebars!!! I saw him 3 different times while I was running. As far as I could see there was nothing on the bird such a little birdy harness in case he tried to fly away. Must be a very well behaved bird, especially since there are many many dogs being walked!! It was really cool to see!

OK, the running part is over so... back to being the world's oldest college student!!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The last 2 weeks I did speedwork with some people from the gym, led by the triathlon coach. The last 2 weeks went pretty good; the workouts were 3-3.5 miles plus warm up and cool down and we were done in less than an hour. The first week was in pouring rain, last week we were out there running in summer clothes. Today we were back in tights and long sleeve shirts (I wore 2 shirts). This was one crazy killer workout. 2 sets 1200 fast, 400 slow; 2 sets 800 fast, 400 slow; 2 sets 400 fast, 400 slow; 4 sets 200 fast, 200 slow. We had a 1 mile warm up and 2 mile cool down. If I have calculated this all correctly, it's a total of 8.5 miles. THAT'S NUTS!!!
I am not fond of any speedwork over 400s. When I saw in coach's email yesterday first line: "1200 fast then 400 slow then repeat" I considered skipping it!! By the 2nd 800 my legs felt finished. We went off the track for the cooldown, a paved rail-to-trail runs right behind this high school track so we headed over there and ran a mile down and back. (there is a mile marked out behind the school with each 1/4 marked; I figured we'd run to the half mile then turn around but noooooooo they just kept going. The last half mile back I was barely moving anymore. I was worn out!! When I got into my car it was 7:45 and we had started right at 6.
I'm sore now You know, I really should use that big black post looking thingy sitting over there in the corner collecting dust (AKA foam roller) but that would result in more pain!!!

Well, I'm plopped in my chair and I'm going to watch my favorite show (and the only TVshow I watch), Ghost Hunters!!!!!!!!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Just like the title says, one final down and one more to go!!! One of my class's final was today even though there is still one more week to the semester. I'm pretty sure I did ok. I am pretty sure I will end of up with a 4.0. I am glad this final is out of the way and that I only have to study for one at a time.
I didn't even run this past weekend. OH, CRAP, my half marathon is only 6 weeks away. Train? Oh, am I supposed to train??? I was talking with a friend of mine today and made the comment that I sure hope that I can finish the half marathon before the marathon winner finishes. It's been a long time since I've run a half when there was a full marathon going on at the same time. I've always finished before the marathon winner and then watched the male and female marathon winners cross. He asked if there would be big time elite racers there. This is a small marathon/half marathon and no elites will be there. I looked up the results from last year and the winning time was 2:24:09. I can't imagine being that long even if I do go over 2 hours. Even so, I still want to finish under 2 hours. It sure would be nice if the weather would improve and make it pleasant to go running. Soon, I hope.

Snow?? Seriously?? Is this God's idea of a huge joke?
I saw it online yesterday afternoon when I got home from my fabulously fun afternoon of studying at the library. I was awake at 4am and looked out and there was no snow and I said, "thank goodness that never happened!" (the forecast was snow beginning at 3am) Well, the joke was definitely on me because when I woke up to get up around 9am the first thing I noticed in the window was the sight of snow falling and then looked out and everything was white. My son's truck was completely covered in snow.
Thankfully, it didn't stick around very long; the snow is all gone now.

Monday, April 11, 2011

One day of 80 degrees; is that really all we get????? I'm glad I ran in it. Today was in the low 50s and a chilly wind. Yes, it's better than teens, single digits and sub-zero and I would definitely prefer this instead.

Time to start studying for finals. Soooooo excited. My brain hurts just thinking about it.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Today the temperature hit 80!!! Yep!! I noticed that it was sunny outside from my view out the dining room window as I was working on my paper which is due tomorrow (now finished). I decided to open the window and the air coming in felt warm, I checked the themometer and it said 78!! I had to walk outside and see for myself and then I just knew that I had to do it!! In spite of the fact that I had to finish that paper and then study for the test I have tomorrow I just had to do it. There was no way that I could not do it!! It is going for a run!! I dug out the cute running skirt I wore in the marathon last October and even ran in a sleeveless top!! The temperature had hit 80 by the time I got to the trail to run! It felt great!

My last post was titled, " I run slow" and began with ordering my son's college graduation announcements. Well....the announcements arrived and I got a bit teary and choked up when I looked at them and I STILL run slow!
This semester is getting closer to being over; I think there is only 3 weeks to go. I have more work than ever to do before the last day. I have one test after another in these next 3 weeks. I haven't even started to prepare for finals yet. Just thinking about it makes my brain hurt. There is no break between semesters either. My last class for this term is on a Tuesday and the following Monday Summer term begins. 5 days to relax!!!!!!!! I need to clean my car out; it looks like I live in it. I've never slept in my car but it sure looks like I live out of it!!! I also need to do major house cleaning that I have neglected. Yeah, I'm going to spend my 5 days off cleaning my car and house....NOTTTTTTT!!!! I want to sleep in every morning like when I worked nights back in the day. I want to go running. I want to go to movies. I want to read something other than textbooks. I don't want to do anything grown up related!!! We will see what happens!

My half marathon is 7 weeks out from today. Do I ever have a long way to go in those 7 weeks. I ran 6 today and it nearly did me in. It seemed more difficult than when I ran 10 last Saturday. I did have a 9:17 and a 9:22 mile (miles 4&5) don't know where those came from!! Then the last mile was 10:09. I did speedwork with a group on Tuesday. That was a first in a long time! We did sets of 400, 200, 200 with 200 recovery in between each repeat and a few extra seconds between each set. 4 sets total. I was amazed that my 400s were ALL under 2 minutes. 3 at 1:58 (wow-imagine me consistent!) and one at 1:52 (hard to believe!) the 200s were between 52 and 58 except for the very last one which was 1 minute even; I was worn out. It rained the whole time. There were 3 of us out there running around the track in the rain; I can't imagine what that looked like!! I told the coach that it was stupid and he said, "and you drove here to do this"!!! I hate running in rain and I hate being cold so WHY was I there?????
The most exciting thing I have to say is that today for the very first time this year I ran in shorts and short sleeves!!!! I hope that is a trend that will continue!! It was wonderful to do so!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Sooooo, the other day I ordered college graduation announcements for my oldest kid. I know this is what everyone says and it's totally dorky but it's true: it seems like just yesterday I was leaving him off at his first day of kindergarten. I really don't think I am old enough to have a kid fully grown up!!!
I'm very proud of him and I am very happy that I am done sending money to Michigan State University!!!! Although...there is the $160 diploma frame that the kid wants and the Student Bookstore keeps sending me reminders that my kid wants it!! I've heard that it takes several months before they actually get the diploma so it can wait till after graduation.

I am down to 8 weeks out from the half marathon I registered for wayyyyy back on December 1st. I have a really really long way to go in those 8 weeks. The last 3 weeks I've cut 2 of my long runs short. The first time it was because I was having a bad reaction to a tetanus shot but I don't know what to say about last week. The first time I cut 8 back to 6 then the next week I ran 8 and last week intended to run 10 but barely made it 8 miles. Both weeks that I ran 8 the last mile was really tough. Today my last mile was also really tough although mile 9 was the slowest. I must be so out of shape; I can't even run under 10 minute miles after 2 or 3 miles. It's such an effort too. I am really sore after long runs which is odd. Not just a little sore but a lot sore. The half marathon is quite flat and I really really really want to run it in under 2 hours.
I need to run more than 12 or 15 miles per week but it's difficult to do with full time school and part time work. I'm still working even though I quit a long time ago; I'm not sure how that happened! Beginning this week I will have class on Fridays through the end of the semester. It's getting close to finals time too and I need to study A LOT. The last few weeks there have been many times I wanted to go running but didn't so I could study and do homework. Tomorrow I will be at the library all afternoon studying for tests I have on Monday and Tuesday. I don't think it can get any more exciting than that!

Well, I am going to take my sore legs and crawl up the stairs and crawl into bed and hope that they hurt less tomorrow morning!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

I survived the spring break where there was neither spring nor a break.
Test #1, first day back, 96%. That means I missed 2. I haven't seen the test yet to know what stupid mistakes I made.
Test #2, second day back, 86%. A new LOW for me. I have never ever in my entire life had a grade that low. Our teacher sent a message on the online classroom thingy saying that the class average for this exam was 80% and said that some may need some extra help and tutoring to bring their grades up to passing. Since I was 6 points above the class average and my overall grade in the class is at 90% right now and the limit for passing to failing is 73 or 74 (can't remember; didn't think I'd ever need to think about it) I highly doubt I'd be a candidate for any extra help; I'd get laughed at for asking. What is wrong with wanting to get high grades?? I'm constantly told that when I graduate and get my license that nobody is ever going to ask what my grades were or if I was at the top of my class. What's wrong with wanting to be anyway, even if nobody ever asks?? I've heard several classmates say that they've had 4.0s in the pre-reqs and had the goal of keeping that up but have now lowered their expectations. I just can't see doing that.
Ok, enough of that!
Test # 3, third day back 100% although this test was nothing difficult.

One of the requirements for health care programs and jobs is having all childhood immunizations. In the past what I had always done was use my school records from way back when. Well, now that's not good enough for us old fogies. Back in the day our Mommys filled in a form with the dates of our immunizations when we enrolled in kindergartin, now they call that "self reporting" and it's not acceptable now. Sooooo, I had to have titers which are blood tests for the immunizations. If your titers come back not showing any of the immunizations it doesn't mean you never had them or you don't have the immunity but you have to get the immunization. Mine all came back positive!!!!!!!!! I was due (overdue actually) for a tetanus booster so I got that Thursday. I remember the last time I had one that I had a very sore arm for a few days but this time it made me really sick. I met up with a classmate at the public library on Friday afternoon to study. We were there over 4 hours. I was really uncomfortable most of the time; I had a headache and my lower back was hurting then my legs started hurting. I thought it was because the chair was uncomfortable. When I left the library it was sunny and 45 so naturally I decided to go running!! Bad idea. I did not get very far and knew something was up. I could barely move and my entire body hurt. I ran 3 very slow miles. (31 minutes) and when I got back to my niece's house (I was house-sitting) I could barely get up the 3 steps to unlock the door. Everything hurt and I was miserable. I showered and curled up in the bed with a heated blanket and slept for about 2.5 hours then woke up extremely hungry but just didn't feel like I could get up and get dressed. I did manage to get jammies on and went downstairs. I was so hungry but at the same time couldn't even look at food. I drove to McDonalds (yes, in jammies) and got a cheeseburger. I don't know why but sometimes when I am sick that is the only thing I can eat. It's not even something I eat normally. I haven't been to a McDonalds in a long time. After I ate the cheeseburger (no top bun) I had an apple, a really yummy Kiku apple then my tummy was happy but the rest of me was still miserable. I took ibuprophen and went back to bed and slept nearly 11 hours. I felt much better Saturday morning and even went running. I ran 6 very slow miles. I didn't have the body aches but I still couldn't move very fast. I intended to run 8 but changed that plan not very far into the run. As Saturday went on I got achy all over again but not to the extent as Friday. I've never had a tetanus shot do this to me. I'm still not 100% but am much much better today.
So, anyway, there is the most boring blog entry ever written!!!!!!!
Last Saturday (March 5) was 12 weeks out from the half marathon I am signed up for and I was supposed to start training. OOPS, I kinda forgot!! The weather was awful and I had the 3 tests hanging over my head and I had to work way too much and never felt like I got to study sufficiently. I house-sat that weekend too and took running gear but the weather turned to horrible cold and inches of snow and I didn't have the right gear with me. Soooo, I guess my half marathon training has officially begun with 11 weeks to go. It will be interesting to see how well I keep up with it until the weather warms and daylight lasts longer and until I am completely done working. (yup, I am in the process of quitting my job!)

Well, a little more studying for, yes, another test tomorrow then off to bed.
Runner Nerd
having trouble with the runner part AND the nerd part.
(may have to change her name to jogger average student)

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Oh, I have such an exciting and glamorous life!! My weekends are filled with one exciting social event after another! HA HA!
Saturday I spent the afternoon (2-5pm) in the Chelsea Public Library and closed the place down! I was the last one to leave! I then moved myself and all my books, papers, pen, pencil, highlighters, index cards, calculator, laptop and the backpack that hauls it all down the road to Wendy's. I bought a large iced tea, thus making me a customer, thus allowing me to use the wireless internet and a booth. (it was a mini booth.) I continued studying for 3 more hours. It was nearly 9pm when I left. I had to stop at the grocery store to get my poor starving cat some food. (no, my cat wasn't starving but I emptied the bag that morning.) The Library in Chelsea is a good place to study. The 2nd floor has tables with a lamp in the middle and electric outlets and computer outlets on the top of the tables. They have wireless internet so I've never used the internet outlet but they are there, you never know, the wireless routher might not be working someday. It's usually reasonably quiet in there. Yesterday the second floor was overrun with noisy little kids. They were running around. I can usually block things out but it's hard to miss when they bump into your chair or bang something on the table. One little guy kept unplugging his headphones so the music of his little game would be audible to everyone around. I don't miss having little kids at all.
Today I set out to go to the college library but on my way there it started snowing and not just flurries, it was really snowing. I had a couple stops to make first then decided instead of going all the way out to the college I'd just study at Panera since it is on the north side of town and I live north of town and the college is on the south edge of the county and way south of town. It snowed the whole time I was there and then began raining. I could see I94 from Panera and every time I looked out the window the cars were going slower and slower. When I left Panera after 3 hours of studying my car had a coating of ice. There better not be a snow day tomorrow. I am so ready for this test!!!!!!
So, you see my weekend was filled with all the excitement one could ask for. I just know you are jealous!!

Well, I'm going to go over a few things again then go to bed; it just doesn't get more exciting than this!! There are snowmobiles driving by the house in the road!

Friday, February 18, 2011

My running shoes are a muddy mess and I couldn't be happier!!!! I love muddy running shoes!
After work I ran my very most favoritest route. I haven't been to this trail in forever. Most of it is not cleared in the winter and with all the snow we've had I knew it would be impossible to run on. Now that most of the snow is melted I decided it's time to get back there. I knew the woods would be muddy. The trail along the headrace still had a lot of slushy snow but other than that it felt great to run with good footing. I ran really good (for me lately) other than the trail with snow and through the muddy woods. I almost fell in the woods, I started sliding in the mud going downhill. I stepped off the side of the trail and grabbed a tree branch to stop! I saw a lot of other people out running! I saw several people in shorts but with long sleeve shirts and one dude was wearing long pants but a short sleeve shirt but nobody in shorts and short sleeves. I guess it's not quite that warm yet!!! (just an observation I made!) As I ran along the river I was thinking ahead to when all the baby duckies will be there!! I can't wait; I love the baby duckies in the spring when they are still tiny and following their mommies around.

I wish I was that excited about the test I have on Monday. I had to work today and was not too happy about it. Some of my classmates were getting together in the library to study this afternoon and I was not able to go because of work. I really would have liked to have studied with others because there is so much confusing material in this unit. It's so complicated. BUT....if I hadn't have worked I wouldn't have been in Ann Arbor and would not have went running in Bandemer Park, I probably wouldn't have went running at all so I guess my run is one good thing that came from having to work.

I saw this today:﻿﻿﻿
﻿﻿﻿

motorcycle in February

﻿﻿﻿ A motorcycle! I didn't think it was that warm but I guess if we runners are silly enough to go running when the temperature is below zero in deep snow then motorcycle riders can ride in the 40s!

Well, I guess I better get back to homework. I got to do it all today: work, run and homework!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

No hat or gloves and only 1 layer!! Is it Spring now??
I ran 5 miles after class and managed to keep all the miles well under 10 minutes!! My last mile was 9:12!! I was surprised at that!
On my way home I saw 54 degrees on a sign. It was sunny too. There is still a lot of snow along the sides of the trail. It's starting to melt but there was a lot piled up.
I could not believe how much dog poo was on the paved trail right on the pavement. EWWWWWWWW
I saw 3 people running in shorts! I was overdressed but I packed my run gear this morning before going to school and didn't know that it was going to get that warm. For the first time in a long time my Garmin was sitting on my wrist in contact with my skin and not over 3 layers of sleeves. I was able to buckle it in the 6th hole instead of barely being able to get the little peg in the 1st hole.
So this was an exciting day for Runner Nerd!!!! I just hope that warmer weather is here to stay!
Runner Nerd

Monday, February 14, 2011

After the shock of my 88% test grade I have redeemed myself! I had a test in the other class last week and got that grade today. I got 102%!!! There were 3 extra credit problems which I got right, thus the 102%. I missed 1 question on a 50 question test so I really got a 98. I can live with that but if she wants to give extra credit I'm not going to argue!! Now, if I could only make a comeback like that in my running! I ran 3 miles this morning and I could not get moving. It took me 32 minutes, 35 seconds to run 3.2 miles so over a 10 minute pace. After the bitter cold we've had, this morning's 39 degrees felt almost warm! I ran in 1 less layer.
Well, I must get back to homework. It's going to be hard to top the 102%!

Friday, February 11, 2011

College is getting harder. I have also been working a lot the last few weeks. Last week and the week before I worked more hours than I have in quite a while. It really made it hard to study the way I usually do. I have had 2 tests now that I felt very unprepared going into. I got an 88 on one of the tests. I've NEVER had a grade that low before. I was shocked. It was a really hard test and as soon as I started I knew I wasn't prepared. I've had to make the difficult decision to quit my job a couple of months before I had planned. I knew that I would not be able to work when I have to start hospital clinicals next semester because I will have 2 full days of clinicals and 2 full days of classes.

It has been bitter cold here. Last night during the Thursday night group run I was actually wondering what I was doing. My face was so cold. But....when we finished up it was still a tiny bit light out!!!! The last couple weeks it has still be a little light out when we started but last night was the most light we've seen on a Thursday night run in a long time! Does this possibly mean that spring is on it's way?????? It won't come soon enough for me. Today I also got to go for a run. I don't even know when the last time I ran 2 days in a row. I hope to be able to get more running in once I am not working. I will have to soon if I am going to have a decent half marathon in May. It wasn't as cold today but it was still bitter cold. It just isn't fun in this weather but I can't stand the thought of running on a treadmill either. I ran so slow today; my body just wouldn't go any faster and it was difficult. I was running on cleared paved paths so I can't say that it was from the deep snow or bad footing.

Well, it's time to go turn on my heated matress pad and get ready to crawl into a warm bed and read my new Runner's World (March issue). Maybe reading about people running will help me to feel like doing it again.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

I ran this morning mainly because I did not want to write a big ole zero in the little box in the lower right corner of my running log book. I also would have had to copy the same number from the second line in the box which is the year to date mileage. I had to miss Thursday night running group due to having to work late.
I set off on my 5.6 mile loop on the roads where I live. About 3.5 miles into my run I came upon a black angus cow just chillin in the middle of the road in front of the farm pasture he escaped from!! As I got closer he began trotting down the middle of the road. I got closer to him and headed him off the road into a field; at least he was out of the road. This road does not have very much traffic; it's one of my favorite roads to run on and I can run down the middle most of the time. I decided I should go to the house and let someone know their cow got out. I ran up the drive and knocked on the door. The people were still in their jammies! They were appreciative of me letting them know and for getting their cow out of the road!! This house has a very long driveway. As I was nearing home I looked down expecting to see somewhere in the area of 5.57 - 5.58 and my Garmin said 5.8! That run up and back that driveway added nearly 1/4 mile to my run so I decided I might as well run a little farther down the road and make it 6 miles.
Today's temp was 15 - more than double the temp when I ran last Sunday. I was wearing 1 less layer. I guess there is more snow coming. oh yippie. I was thinking about the half marathon I signed up for which is Memorial Day weekend. That's the end of May so 4 weeks of May, 4 weeks of April, 4 weeks of March = 12 weeks. I don't have to really start training till March. This afternoon I looked at a calendar and found that March 5th is 12 weeks out from the half marathon. I can slack off for another month!!! I hope we have better weather by then.

I spent most of my day studying for a test on Tuesday. My brain hurts, I still don't feel like I am anywhere near ready for the test. I will be able to study tomorrow morning before I have to leave for school but that means I probably won't go running. I've been running on Mondays before school which is surprising for non-morning person me! Tomorrow I need to study instead.

Friday, January 28, 2011

My total at Subway was $5.29 so I hand the clerk $5.30 and was waiting for her to hand me a penny but she grabbed the little penny out of the cash register and tossed it into a jar sitting there. Wait...that's MY penny; what if I wanted it????? So, when did this become the way things are done?????????

Sunday, January 23, 2011

This is my indoor/outdoor themometer this morning just before I headed out for a run. Yep, that top number is the outdoor temperature, 7 degrees. I donned my most hard core running gear - Underarmour Cold Gear tights and shirt, 1st layer. An old pair of running pants over the tights and another winter shirt over the other one and to top it all off - a jacket. Hat, mittens and Garmy added the finishing touches!!
I'm not sure how good running clothes do it but I was not too cold, even when I was just starting out. My hands got too warm in my mittens. I rarely wear the mittens because they are too warm. (yes, I just said that!)
Well, I have to get back to studying for my test tomorrow. I just wanted to record the fact that I went running in 7 degree temps today!! For some reason since this run I am really feeling like getting in a long run. Maybe next weekend.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

How much more of this do I have to put up with? I've had enough. It's crazy cold this weekend. Yesterday was single digits. A friend posted a picture on Facebook that she took in her car on her way to work and her themometer said 7 degrees. Yep, that's all...just 7 little degrees. So, I went to the kitchen to check my new fancy schmancy indoor/outdoor themometer and it said 7.5 degrees. Later in the day my daughter came home and she noticed that it said 7.5 degrees so the temp hadn't changed. Today it got all the way up to a sweltering 15 degrees!! I think I will like this new themometer better in the summer when the outdoor temps can be higher than indoors. Right now it's too depressing to look at the outdoor temp. This was our family Christmas present. There is a little unit that is hanging outdoors on the patio and the indoor unit is inside the house on the side of the refrigerator. The outside unit sends the temp to the inside unit. The indoor unit has a magnet on the back for putting on the refrigerator and it also has a stand that can be pulled out and folded out to set it somewhere.

School is crazy. I never expected this program to be easy and was prepared to work and study hard. I'm overwhelmed, it's complicated stuff. The teacher says that it's all going to come together. I sure hope it does soon because I am so confused. The first test is on Monday so I have been studying for that all weekend. I am so glad that I didn't have to work yesterday. I worked all day on my notes and writing stuff out to study and today I have been studying and also doing work for the other class. My brain hurts!

Well, it's time for me to go to bed. I'm all studied out, my eyes hurt, my brain hurts, I'm quite exhausted for not doing anything physical today. I did not go running then I felt like such a slacker and was totally jealous when friends Garmin Connect runs started showing up posted on Facebook. I am a LOOSER at running this weekend. I froze Thursday night, the footing was bad on the dirt roads which makes my legs so sore after a run. I'm sure it's good for me but I just want to be able to go out and run and not have to worry about falling every second. I can't let my mind wander when I run in snow; I'd fall for sure if I did! I ran on a treadmill Tuesday and hated every second of it.
Soooo, anyway there is all of my complaining about winter.

About Me

I am a runner, I've run 6 marathons and every race distance between that and 5K. I have done 1 sprint triathlon so far.
I started this blog when I went back to college in Jan. 2009 at the age of 46.(thus the title, "runner nerd"!) I was the world's oldest college student! I graduated December 15, 2012 first in my class! I really was a nerd!
After a long career in EMS, I needed a change. Since earning my degree, I work in a hospital as a Respiratory Therapist.
I have 2 grown up kids.